I see that the only plugs they offer are 250V, 20A NEMA 6-20P, black . The sole choice is whether the plug is straight or right-angle. For a lot less than $45, the manufacturer could simply pack both plugs in the box with the amplifier, and let the customer decide which one to put on.

If, for whatever reason, a licensed radio amateur is incapable of attaching an a.c. plug to a power cord, how could he be expected to properly connect his antenna coax to the output receptacle of the amplifier, connect the radio to the input receptacle, and wire up the control circuitry, without blowing something up?

What if the owner decides a few days later that he really needs the other type of plug? Would he send the amplifier back to the factory to have it replaced, and if so, would they charge another $45, or would they offer a discount for the exchange?

For $7000, it seems awfully cheap of a reputable company to ship an amplifier minus the power cord plug.

KYV: I've read many, many posts here on eHam from people who feel slighted or insulted by the badmouthing of others about the present ham license testing methods, qualifications, etc.

THIS is why so many hams feel the way they do. RF Concepts has realized there is a market to service idiot "hams." Don't blame or ridicule RF Concepts. They understand what is going on and are capitalizing on it. This is business!

I'd venture to predict that one day the equipment manufacturers will also include programming for their transceivers for a nominal fee of $500.00, or perhaps come to the house and hook everything up like your DISH Network TV system installer.

UK supply is 230 +10% / –6%, that is, within the range 253 Volts to 216.2 Volts. Used to be 240 +/-6%. But now Europe is 'harmonised' between those levels. They haven't harmonised the plugs though - there differences between Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria etc. Pin spacing is the same but the diameters vary and the plug shapes vary too. The UK and Eire are different, of course.

To most of the people who will buy $7,000 amplifiers for a HOBBY , $45 is pocket change...... it is not about not being unable to wire up the plug. It is aboutconvenience. The same reason most people with a Lexus or Mercedes don't spend Saturday mornings jacking up their car to change the oil and rotate the tires....they drop by the dealer and spend $125 for the oil change and tire rotation... it is about their TIME.

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